The Divine Cauldron Sect's performance was actually quite good; according to previous years' standards, Gu Zhusheng's high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill would have secured them the top spot. However, unfortunately, they encountered the Refining Edge Sword Sect, who had struck it lucky this year.

What's even more heartbreaking is that this disciple who won the championship for the Lianfeng Sword Sect was the one who was abandoned by the Shending Sect and then joined the Lianfeng Sword Sect! Looking at Fan Hongde's ugly face, one wonders what he was thinking.

Now another problem has arisen for the judges: how to handle the seven ties for second place? Who should be designated as second and third if they have the same score? And who should receive the only prize?

Lu Changyi looked at Shi Mingxiu and asked, "Sect Leader Shi, how should this be handled?"

Shi Mingxiu looked at the disciples on the opposite platform and wondered to himself if these seven brats were deliberately trying to make things difficult for him.

At this moment, Gu Liangce, who was in the lead, stepped forward, cupped his hands in front of the sect leader, and said, "Reporting to the sect leader, we are willing to give the second and third place awards to Senior Sister Shi Xuan! The disciples' achievements today are all due to Senior Sister Shi Xuan's guidance!"

Lu Shan and the others chimed in, "Yes! We were able to refine top-grade pills thanks to Senior Sister Shi Xuan's unreserved teaching and hands-on guidance!"

"Yes! Give it all to Senior Sister Shi Xuan, she deserves it!"

"Our movements are so synchronized because we practiced step by step with Senior Sister Shi Xuan!"

...

Shi Xuan, who was the center of attention, had no choice but to respond: "I have accepted all the items, and I will exchange them for an equivalent amount of spirit stones at the market price, and distribute them equally among the seven of you. Let's settle on that."

This approach would indeed be a win-win situation for everyone.

The other five sects were even more envious. This disciple was not only outrageously outstanding himself, but he could also lead all the alchemists in his sect to improve!

If a disciple with exceptional talent is rare, then a disciple capable of leading the entire sect is even rarer! This foreshadows the prosperity of this sect for a generation!

Out of the corner of their eyes, everyone glanced at Fan Mingzhu, thinking to themselves, how could the value of a disciple like Shi Xuan be measured by a mere spiritual root! The Divine Cauldron Sect really bought the box and returned the pearl, letting go of a priceless treasure that was delivered to their doorstep!

The matter was perfectly resolved, and Lü Changyi immediately announced the results of the Six Sects Alchemy Competition.

The disciple who won first place was Shi Xuan from Lianfeng Sword Sect. The seven disciples who tied for second place were Gu Liangce from Lianfeng Sword Sect. Gu Zhusheng came in ninth place, and Fan Mingzhu came in tenth.

Apart from the two sects that participated in the second round, the remaining sects were ranked according to the scores of their disciples in the first round.

As for the rewards, all of them will be given to Shi Xuan alone. The two alchemy furnaces, one of high grade and one of medium grade, can be directly given to her, and she can choose the spiritual herbs from the Fuyuan Sect's spiritual herb storehouse according to their grade.

The grand event thus came to a close, and the Lianfeng Sword Sect could be said to have returned with a full harvest. In the history of the Lianfeng Sword Sect, it had never won the championship in the alchemy competition among the six sects, let alone swept the top eight spots. This was something that Shi Xuan had never dared to dream of before his arrival!

Shu Yuanguan was overjoyed. He waved his hand and, imitating the wealthy man from the Langya Sect, said, "Today, you guys should go to the market down the mountain for a good meal. It's on me!"

Shi Xuan immediately seized the opportunity, raising his eyebrows and asking, "Is it just for food?"

The Seven Masters of Lianfeng, who had already been given names, chuckled behind his back. Shu Yuanguan glared at them and said in feigned anger, "What else do you want? Even food can't shut your mouths."

The disciples stuck out their tongues, calling him petty. Having won a great victory today, Shu Yuanguan was in an exceptionally good mood, and he didn't get angry no matter what the disciples said.

"Go ahead, I won't disturb your enjoyment as young people. The sect leader will send people to protect you. Eat more and cause less trouble."

Watching this group of energetic young people chatting and laughing as they walked down the mountain, Shu Yuanguan felt inspired. He was only 120 years old, still very young.

The market town at the foot of the mountain was still bustling with activity. The grand competition of the six sects brought a large influx of people to the market town just from the disciples of the six sects. All kinds of shops took the opportunity to make a fortune.

Since it was still early, Shi Xuan thought that since he was already there, he might as well take a stroll around the stalls and see if there were any new or interesting things.

As she was strolling around, a middle-aged man called out to her, "Fairy Shixuan."

Shi Xuan stopped and looked back at him. It turned out to be the manager of Baoshantang in the market town at the foot of Shending Sect Mountain.

She was dressed up like that when they last met, how could he still recognize her?

But the shopkeeper was a kind man after all, so Shi Xuan cupped his hands and said, "Shopkeeper Chen, how have you been lately?" This was just a polite remark, because Shopkeeper Chen looked much more weathered than the last time they met.

Lu Wenxing, who was behind him, wanted to come out and stop the stranger from getting close, but when he saw that Shi Xuan knew him, he didn't say anything, but he also stood nearby with his sword in a defensive posture.

"It really is you!" Manager Chen seemed even more excited. "Ever since you left the market, I've inquired about your whereabouts in many ways, but to no avail. This time, I heard that someone had refined a top-grade flawless pill in the Six Sects Alchemy Competition, so I came to see you with a glimmer of hope, and it really is you!"

Shi Xuan asked, "Is there something you need from me?"

"Initially, I wanted to see if I could get another batch of pills for the shop," Manager Chen said, his voice a little low. "But later, I really had other things I wanted to ask you for help with."

Tell me about it.

Shopkeeper Chen looked sad and said, "My son is currently suffering from a strange poison. I would like to ask the master to take a look and see if there is any hope of saving him."

The situation seems dire, leaving the father, a shopkeeper of a traditional Chinese medicine shop, helpless.

Shi Xuan asked, "Where is he now?"

Manager Chen hurriedly said, "He's in an inn in this market. I thought that as long as there was a glimmer of hope... I brought him here."

Shi Xuan nodded and said to the seven disciples of Lianfeng behind him, "You guys go and have a look around first, then go eat when it's time. My second senior brother and I are going to visit a friend's patient."

To everyone's surprise, none of the people behind him were willing to leave first, and they all expressed that they wanted to go and see with Shi Xuan to broaden their horizons.

So Shi Xuan led a large group of people toward the inn in the market, which looked quite spectacular at first glance.

As they walked, Manager Chen explained the situation to Shi Xuan: "My son was originally a rogue cultivator, at the third level of the Foundation Establishment stage. Last month, he somehow obtained a map, which he insisted was a treasure map. Ignoring all warnings, he insisted on going on an adventure with a friend. As a result, he encountered some danger and almost risked his life to get back. He used all the magical artifacts he had on him for self-defense, but he is still unconscious. His friend is still missing, and we don't know if he is alive or dead."

Upon hearing this, Lu Wenxing sighed, "He's really bold. Two Foundation Establishment cultivators dared to team up to explore a map whose authenticity is unknown."

"Sigh," Manager Chen said helplessly, "He's not usually such an impulsive person; he's usually quite cautious. But this time, he seems to be possessed, and no amount of persuasion can stop him. He says that someone has already gone there and found no danger and even received great benefits."

Shi Xuan felt increasingly uneasy as he listened, and frowned as he said, "If there were truly no danger and all those benefits, how could it be his turn? It would probably have been taken away long ago."